Cabinet has decided not to arrest the Rajapaksas – JVP

Political intervention in the form of a Cabinet decision has prevailed in members of the family of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa not being arrested, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) charged.

JVP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that as a result, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, was not being arrested with regards to the fraud and corruption in the Siriliya account.

President Maithripala Sirisena directly intervened to stop the former Chairman of the Tourist Board and a female secretary employed in the President’s Office from being arrested, he claimed.

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has completed investigations into 39 cases and have handed over the files to the Attorney General, he explained, adding that the Government had previously given excuses such as there not being sufficient officers in the FCID and the former Attorney General keeping files handed over to him in a desk without taking action.

“In a similar manner, former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage being arrested has been stopped. If there is yahapalanaya (good governance), not only those not in the Government but those in the Government too must be taken action against if there is evidence, without regard for stature. Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are acting on personal agendas to further their power. The Government and the President are in charge of implementing and enforcing the law. Actions like these will lead to faith and trust in the law becoming diminished,” he pointed out. (RJ)